Most people on my server were in the 40-150 ping range, so that wasn’t a problem. I have rock solid 10Mb down/1Mb up cable. Since the game doesn’t require a lot of really time-specific traffic like shooting games do, it’s easier to host on a non-dedicated server.
My main problem is that because of a screwy power system problem I’m having, I can freeze up for 3-5 seconds at a time… not much, maybe 3 times in 2 hours, but it annoys people because the server will lag for that period.
But if we have a 4-8 player game, or whatever, it should be more than adequate. It held up pretty well last night with 16 people.
To anyone interested in joining tonight - you just need steam from www.steampowered.com, download the ship trial weekend - a link should be on the main page within steam.
There are links on this page that will explain how it’s played. It’s not complicated, but read this first so you know what you’re doing when you get in.
Yeah I’ll probably be around to run it saturday, we could try both.
Hopefully we can get 4+ dopers tonight, enough for a doper only game, but I often let in a few pubbies at a time as we need them, by unpasswording and repasswording the servers. Dopers can get in at any time.
Btw, I’m considering putting the needs system on hard instead of medium. Anyone have experience with that? It seems like on medium (default) the needs are mostly an afterthought that rarely need to be worried about. I’m thinking setting it on hard might make them more challenging, adding a larger strategy element into the game.
Honestly, I think one of the truly brilliant things about the game is that when you’re doing shittily (and dying frequently), you barely even notice the needs and wonder what’s the big deal. But when you’re on a roll and have survived 2 or 3 rounds, suddenly everything is going red and it gets harder and harder to stay on top of it. Nothing like falling asleep in the middle a corridor to show you the true meaning of vulnerability.
When I’m really on a roll, I’ve sometimes gotten myself thrown in jail on purpose (make sure you don’t have too many weapons or the fine adds up) just to take care of a bunch of stuff all at once in relative safety.
And everyone knows that the more you sprint, the faster you get tired and need sleep, right?
Small games are fun since they’re a little more intimate (especially if it were all Dopers), but the small maps are so simplistic that they kind of wear on me.
Atalanta (the paddlewheel one) and whatever the name is of the 2-level one with the Amber Room, are both so small. I think the game really comes alive on Huronian, Rubicon, etc. where there are multi levels and many shops to go to.
It’s also nice cause those levels have jails with windows to the corridors so you can shoot people through the window while they’re in jail!
I didn’t know that, but I suspected it. And eating seems to add to your, ahem, “waste disposal” need. BTW, did they need to include such realistic toilet sounds??
I’ve also thought about getting thrown in jail on purpose too, I just hate losing the money. Also seems like the jail food you get isn’t as satisfying as outside food (except for maybe vending machine food.)
Well, one thing I don’t like about the big maps is that it can be simply impractical to make it across the map to hunt your quarry in the time of a round. Another thing is that, since as I complained in a post above, the weapon system isn’t natural and flowing and organic, but rather relies on secret weapon nodes, experienced players have an even bigger advantage on the big maps. I’ve wandered around big maps for 5 minutes without being able to find a weapon. The maps would be much more enjoyable with a more natural weapons layout.
Also, they release a tutorial apparently within the last day or so (it appears), if anyone needs it. It’s a seperate download listing under ‘my games’.
I think the round time can be controlled; it would be nice if it could be set for each map because some are SO much bigger than others. I myself like a longer round so it’s not just a mad rush to find your quarry.
There are certain places on maps that will almost contain good weapons, you just have to learn the maps.
If you play the first entry “Arcade mode?”, you’re playing against bots, that’s a good way to practice without looking like an idiot.
Points well taken, SB. However, I’d say that’s just part of the game. You’ve got to actually hunt your quarry, not pick them out of a line-up in a giant clusterfuck in the Amber Room.
Weapons…I’ll give you that. It can be frustrating (and nerve-racking) when you can’t find a good weapon. Luckily there are plenty of axes around for self-defense. Also note, that the sporting goods store has a few (on one ship it permanently sells a Winchester), though you have to buy them, which means taking money from the bank or ATM (dangerous!). The cargo holds that have 1920’s Style Mob Cars always have good stuff in the trunk of the cars. Look on the maps for Staff Areas. They always have some stuff, though you can’t be in front of a camera in them for very long or you’ll be arrested.
One last point of strategy and then it’s back to work for me:
Money. Keep in mind that when you die, you lose all the money on your person (which can be picked up from someone else). The money you get for kills go straight into your bank account, but if you’re constantly picking up a lot of purses, you might have quite a bit on you. Be sure to keep an eye on it and make runs to the bank for deposits or withdrawals as necessary.
On some of the levels with good weapons to be bought in the stores, I like to hang out near a nearby ATM to catch someone making a hefty withdrawal before heading into the store. A good robbery will often easily offset the penalty for killing in cold blood.
Just think about how many purses you picked up in a given game and were later killed (maybe a few rounds later) by your hunter. All that money goes bye bye.
Server going up in one hour. Name SDMB Killfest, password Cecil.
If you are reading this now, but don’t plan on attending, there is a chance that invisible midget fairies will assault your genitals with farm equipment.
By the way, as before, in the beginning, I’m going to let some public players in to get the game started - having the first 2-3 people on just stay at each other isn’t all that fun. But as SDMB players join up, I’ll lock it up and the pubbers will leave, so it’ll become an SDMB-only game.
But so I can identify you, make sure you have SDMB somewhere in your name.
Well, almost a good turnout… I think we had 7 or 8 seperate people… but since people came late, and some left early, we never got past 4 or 5 at one time.
Maybe give this a shot tomorrow, roughly the same time. I’ll post about it.
